Friday 18 January 2019

January 2019 Otter causing great excitement at Slimbridge WWT

I was making my way to the car from the hides at Slimbridge WWT and at the exit there were a few people with binoculars looking intently up the small stream that you pass over to get to the car park.  Someone had said that he had seen an otter.  He said he heard it "Calling" squeaking first and then caught a glimpse of it.  We waited there for a short while and soon enough there was a wake in the water and it was swimming straight towards us, as we stood on the bridge.  It was really exciting as this was only the second ever wild otter I have ever seen.  It always seems to take an age when you have to un-pack your camera in these circumstances!


The crowd soon got larger as the news got around and it seemed to be most of the staff from the WWT.  The wardens were concerned that it was heading towards the collection pens where it would obviously cause a great deal of havoc.
It swam right under the bridge and was only a metre or so away at times.
That was one of the wild life encounters that I will never forget and I am sure it will be a big talking point around the reserve the next few days.

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